as in violent
marked by bursts of destructive force or intense activity
the scuffle escalated into a hammer-and-tongs fight
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in sharply
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hammer-and-tongs
Chris Wheatley, Longreads, 16 July 2024
The two conservative groups that brought the case were targeted by Harris in 2012-13, right around the time the IRS was going hammer and tongs after Tea Party groups.
—Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 1 July 2021
Two teams who seem destined to slug it out in the lower reaches of the table this season going hammer and tongs at each other never makes for a good watch.
—SI.com, 18 Sep. 2019
The Reds went hammer and tongs in their efforts to find a second, though their hosts were able to hold off the onslaught until the final 10 minutes of the clash.
—SI.com, 15 Aug. 2019
With two moderate Pyrenean climbs, Thursday’s Stage 12 from Toulouse, where cassoulet and rugby are both big, wasn’t tough enough for Thomas and his rivals to go at each other hammer and tongs.
—Washington Post, 18 July 2019
The way to stand out from the others is to go hammer and tongs for the opponents’ jugulars, or to try to sound more extreme than the others.
—Jim Jones, idahostatesman, 18 May 2018
Adverb
In 1971, authors Norman Mailer and Gore Vidal went at it hammer and tongs live on late-night TV in a showdown that allegedly spilled over into violence.
—Chris Wheatley, Longreads, 16 July 2024
The two conservative groups that brought the case were targeted by Harris in 2012-13, right around the time the IRS was going hammer and tongs after Tea Party groups.
—Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 1 July 2021
Two teams who seem destined to slug it out in the lower reaches of the table this season going hammer and tongs at each other never makes for a good watch.
—SI.com, 18 Sep. 2019
The Reds went hammer and tongs in their efforts to find a second, though their hosts were able to hold off the onslaught until the final 10 minutes of the clash.
—SI.com, 15 Aug. 2019
With two moderate Pyrenean climbs, Thursday’s Stage 12 from Toulouse, where cassoulet and rugby are both big, wasn’t tough enough for Thomas and his rivals to go at each other hammer and tongs.
—Washington Post, 18 July 2019
The way to stand out from the others is to go hammer and tongs for the opponents’ jugulars, or to try to sound more extreme than the others.
—Jim Jones, idahostatesman, 18 May 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hammer-and-tongs
Adjective
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After the end of the apartheid regime, Tutu also served as chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which was established to investigate acts of violence committed both by government forces and violent activists.—
Joanne M. Pierce,
The Conversation,
28 Jan. 2025
-
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is intent on changing the script of American cities plagued by crime by implementing policy changes that have led to violent crime taking a tumble.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
Fox News,
28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Defensive standouts Bruce Smith and Derrick Thomas were ferocious competitors.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
23 Jan. 2025
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The latter, which begins at Second and Market Streets, circles Union Square and ends at Kearny Street and Columbus Ave., includes floats, ferocious lions, firecrackers and a 288-foot long Golden Dragon.—
Jackie Burrell,
The Mercury News,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Ben Vaughn, one of the most consequential publishing executives in Music City and a fierce advocate for songwriters, died suddenly Thursday.—
Nate Rau,
Axios,
30 Jan. 2025
-
Bottom line By about five minutes into Zuckerberg’s prepared remarks, one thing was made perfectly clear: The fierce intensity he’s picked up in the octagon has made its way to the boardroom.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2025
Adverb
-
In mining the life and legacy of Nina Simone, Liz Garbus uncovered a deliberately provocative and fiercely political musical genius and earned a best-documentary Oscar nomination in the process.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
1 Feb. 2025
-
That staging showcased the fiercely funny Sarah Paulson as eldest Lafayette sibling Toni.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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He's also issued executive orders at a furious pace on a host of issues.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Jan. 2025
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On Tuesday The Athletic reported how Amorim, 39, delivered a furious critique to his team after losing 3-1 at home to Brighton, with the TV used for tactical analysis caught as collateral.—
Laurie Whitwell,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The Paris prosecutor’s office had requested five years in prison, with three years suspended, following a turbulent two-day court hearing in early December.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
3 Feb. 2025
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And Sasaki, who could have changed the Padres’ fortunes amid a quiet yet turbulent offseason in San Diego, went from playing catch at Petco Park to signing a minor-league deal with the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.—
Dennis Lin,
The Athletic,
2 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Miles Byrd finished with 11 after another rough first half (four points, three turnovers).—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Feb. 2025
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Meanwhile, Milwaukee is searching for answers after a rough stretch, losing 3 of their last 4 games.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The first responders of 9-1-1: Lone Star have survived a toxic gas cloud, plane mechanical failure, a massive tornado, comas, an electrical storm, and even a volcanic eruption...well, at least most of them did.—
Patrick Gomez,
EW.com,
28 Jan. 2025
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Elsewhere, shadow gapes invite light to flow through the property (another reference to the island’s volcanic origins).—
Christopher Cameron,
Robb Report,
27 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near hammer-and-tongs
Cite this Entry
“Hammer-and-tongs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hammer-and-tongs. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
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